New housing along Bankstown rail line supports population growth

Release Date: 14/10/2015

The Sydney Business Chamber says the New South Wales Government’s proposal to increase housing density along the Bankstown rail line will help accommodate Sydney’s projected population growth and enable people to live closer to where they work.

Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, Patricia Forsythe said, “Increasing housing density along existing transport corridors is essential if we are to accommodate Sydney’s growing population and ensure our city remains a vibrant place to live and work.

“The Government’s plan to encourage higher density housing development near Bankstown, Punchbowl, Campsie, Belmore and Canterbury stations will boost affordable housing supply in these areas, and attract investment to support economic growth.

“Importantly, the Sydenham to Bankstown urban renewal strategy supports Transport for NSW’s plan to deliver a new metro rail system, where peak hour trains on the Bankstown line would run at least every four minutes.

“As the Sydney Business Chamber has consistently argued, integrated land use and transport planning is absolutely critical for harnessing Sydney’s growth potential and ensuring we remain a competitive, global city.

“Sydney can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. Wherever possible, we need to be leveraging investment in new transport infrastructure with higher levels of density to maximise patronage and access to employment opportunities

“Strategic planning which supports investment and encourages development near key transport and employment hubs will be a key priority for the Greater Sydney Commission and should ensure that individual councils cannot highjack the process,” Mrs Forsythe said.

Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, Patricia Forsythe said, “Increasing housing density along existing transport corridors is essential if we are to accommodate Sydney’s growing population and ensure our city remains a vibrant place to live and work.

“The Government’s plan to encourage higher density housing development near Bankstown, Punchbowl, Campsie, Belmore and Canterbury stations will boost affordable housing supply in these areas, and attract investment to support economic growth.

“Importantly, the Sydenham to Bankstown urban renewal strategy supports Transport for NSW’s plan to deliver a new metro rail system, where peak hour trains on the Bankstown line would run at least every four minutes.

“As the Sydney Business Chamber has consistently argued, integrated land use and transport planning is absolutely critical for harnessing Sydney’s growth potential and ensuring we remain a competitive, global city.

“Sydney can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. Wherever possible, we need to be leveraging investment in new transport infrastructure with higher levels of density to maximise patronage and access to employment opportunities

“Strategic planning which supports investment and encourages development near key transport and employment hubs will be a key priority for the Greater Sydney Commission and should ensure that individual councils cannot highjack the process,” Mrs Forsythe said.